The sermons of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle of S. Paul too the…The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the…

Hereupon he showeth with what manner of Armour we must be fenced and furnished: that is too wit, with Faith, with Righteousness, with Truth, with Gods word, and with the Gospel. Now we must not be curious in seeking here why Saint Paul giveth the title of Helmet too one, the title of Breastplate too another, and the title of Shield too another. For in the first Epistle too the Thessalonians he toucheth the same doctrine briefly,¹ howbeit, without following the similitude throughout, saying, that we must be armed with the helmet of faith and charity. But he speaketh otherwise in this place. If any man would say, there is some contradiction, the doubt would soon be dissolved, namely that Saint Pauls intent here, was not too decipher particularly all the pieces of a Christen mans armour, but too show briefly that if we receive the means that God offereth us, and be diligent too serve him, we shall be furnished of all pieces, and we need not fear but we shall have wherewith too withstand all our enemies, yea and too vanquish them. That then was Saint Pauls meaning.

Hereuppon he sheweth with what maner of Armour wee must bee fenced and furnished: that is too wit, vvith Fayth, vvith Ryghtuousnesse, vvith Truth, vvith Gods vvoord, and vvith the Gospell. Now wee must not bee curious in seeking heere why Saint Paule giueth the tytle of Helmet too one, the tytle of Brestplate too another, and the tytle of Sheeld too another. For in the first Epistle too the Thessalonians he toucheth the same doctrine briefely,¹ howbeeit, without following the similitude throughout, saying, that wee must bee armed with the helmet of fayth and charitie. But he speaketh otherwise in this place. If any man would say, there is some contradiction, the doubt would soone bee dissolued, namely that Saint Paules intent heere, was not too decyfer particularly all the peeces of a Christen mans armour, but too shewe briefely that if wee receyue the meanes that God offereth vs, and bee diligent too serue him, wee shall bee furnished of all peeces, and wee neede not feare but wee shall haue wherwith too withstand all our enemies, yea and too vanquish them. That then was Saint Paules meaning.

1. 1